Commonly asked questions from our local library Free Butterfly Seeds project, How to plant milkweed?

Hi! So maybe you're visiting this blog page after receiving some of my Butterfly garden packets from our local library! Welcome:) It's been really amazing to see the interest and engagement from our community and the request to have more and more. I'm so grateful for Terran Landscaping and Hippo Outdoor Living for donating $ for me to purchase more seeds to donate to my community!

Ok so here are some commonly asked questions at the library:

Cold stratify milkweed seeds?

You don’t have to cold stratify milkweed seeds manually (in your fridge or with wet paper towels) if you’re okay with nature doing it for you. That means:

• If you plant them outdoors in the fall or early winter, the seeds will naturally go through cold stratification as they sit through the winter, then sprout in the spring.

• If you plant them in spring or summer, the seeds won’t sprout right away. They’ll just sit there and wait until next spring after going through a winter.

BUT, if you want faster results and to grow seedlings this year (instead of waiting), then you should cold stratify them manually before planting, like putting them in the fridge in a damp paper towel for 30 days. This helps “wake up” the seed early and skip the full winter wait.

Why Milkweed? What is Asclepias?

Asclepias, commonly known as Milkweed or Butterfly Weed, is a stunning wildflower native to North America and a charming addition to gardens. Its fragrant flower clusters attract butterflies and pollinators!!

The leaves of all milkweed species serve as the host plant for the caterpillars of the beautiful American monarch butterflies, making milkweed leaves their sole source of food for survival. They can eat 20–30 large milkweed leaves during its larval stage (which lasts around 10–14 days.

How To Grow Milkweed with Cold Stratification:

1. Wake the Seeds Up: Cold Stratification (Optional but Helpful)

Milkweed seeds need a period of cold to “break dormancy” — a natural survival tactic in cold climates. You can simulate winter by:

Option A: Easy method

• Place a few seeds in a damp paper towel

• Seal it in a plastic bag

• Put it in the fridge for 30 days (not the freezer!)

Option B: Natural method

• Plant seeds outdoors in the fall or early winter

• Nature will take care of cold stratification, and the seeds will sprout in spring

  
  

  2. Let Them Sprout

Once cold-stratified, plant the seeds in small pots or trays filled with soil.

• Keep them moist but not soaked

• Place them in a warm, sunny spot

• Germination can take 1–3 weeks depending on the variety

  
  

  3. Transplant When Ready

When seedlings are a few inches tall and strong enough to handle outdoor conditions:

• Harden them off (acclimate them to outdoor temps)

• Transplant to your garden in a sunny, well-drained spot,

• They need 6-8 hours of direct sunlight!

• They take 2-3 years to fully bloom! So it is a process!

How far apart can they be planted?

• Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca):➤ 18–24 inches apart (they spread by underground rhizomes and can form colonies)

• Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata):➤ 12–18 inches apart (more contained, clump-forming)

• Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa):➤ 12–18 inches apart (compact and great for borders or small gardens)

Choose Your Milkweed Plants

Link directs you to American Meadows, a great nursery where you can purchase more seeds if you didn't get them for free from our local libraries!

• Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is highly adaptable species with a wide native range that covers most of the eastern US, most of the Midwest, and Southern Canada. It grows well in most soil types garden soil. It’s known for its large globes of pink flowers. 

• Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) will do best in a moist environment, making it a great option for wet meadows or rain gardens. Its common name refers to the swampy environments of the meadows where it thrives. 

• Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) is well suited for dry and sandy soils. Butterfly weed is known for its bright orange flower clusters. 

• Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) is native to drier regions of the western US and serves as a major food source for Western monarch caterpillars.